Persistent Transmission of Shigellosis in England Is Associated with a Recently Emerged Multidrug-Resistant Strain of Shigella sonnei.

ABSTRACT: Whole-genome sequencing has enhanced surveillance and facilitated detailed monitoring of the transmission of Shigella species in England. We undertook an epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis of isolates from all cases of shigellosis referred to Public Health England between 2015 and 2018 to explore recent strain characteristics and the transmission dynamics of Shigella species. Of the 4,950 confirmed cases of shigellosis identified during this period, the highest proportion of isolates was Shigella sonnei (54.4%), followed by S. flexneri (39.2%), S. boydii (4.1%), and S. dysenteriae (2.2%). Most cases were adults (82.9%) and male (59.5%), and 34.9% cases reported recent travel outside the United Kingdom. Throughout the study period, diagnoses

SUBMITTER: Bardsley M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7098776 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature